MORNING REPORT

First Off . . .

August 20, 1987| Arts and entertainment reports from The Times, national and international news services and the nation's press

Feature film production in California was on the upswing for the first six months of 1987, with 96 pictures filming in the state--a 23% increase over the same period last year and an 80% increase over the first two quarters of 1985, according to a study released by the California Film Commission. Only six other states reported more than four film shoots in the same period, including second-place New York with 30. Texas and Arizona, which have been offering the Golden State some competition, fell back in production 16% and 14%, respectively. Film commission director Lisa Rawlins attributed the California increase in part to bad weather in the East and fear of a directors' strike.